A New Fuzzy Modeling Approach for Joint Manufacturing Scheduling and Shipping Decisions

This paper discusses a new fuzzy modeling approach for an integrated manufacturing scheduling and shipment decisions within a supply chain network. The aim of this study is to maximize the total net profit while minimizing the risks caused by selecting alternative transportation modes. Alternative transportation modes such as train, truck and airplane modes are considered. Briefly, a fuzzy multi-objective mixed integer mathematical model is proposed to simultaneously integrate manufacturing scheduling and shipment decisions in a cellular manufacturing environment. Based on the manufacturing system capacity, production sequences of each product are determined in each cell and then alternative transportation methods are identified while considering the capacity of chosen transportation mode as well as the risks of associated transportation mode for each smaller lot of every product to maximize the total net profit. The preliminary results indicated that, although it is safer to ship via train which is the safest transportation mode, it is not possible to manufacture and ship each and every time due to the capacity restrictions of the manufacturing system. Therefore, the system triggers to use more risky alternative transportation modes which affect the total net profit of the considered system. The proposed model guides decision makers to find the optimal solution for an integrated manufacturing scheduling and shipping decisions of a company.